Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Poland: how and at what stage is diagnosed, and how is treated. A survey study

INTRODUCTION: Epidemiological studies show an increasing incidence of overweight and obesity all over the world, leading to an increase in the number of patients consulted due to liver damage. AIM: Assesement to which doctors (general practitioners or specialist) refer patients with elevated liver enzymes in Poland, how they are diagnosed and treated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted questionnaire surveys among 1322 doctors of various specialties to find the most common causes of liver disease, at which stage of the disease patients reported to doctors, and what schemes of management are followed. RESULTS: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was the most common cause of abnormal liver enzymes (59.7%). Patients with liver damage most often reported to internal medicine specialists (59%) and gastroenterologists (27.5%). The diagnosis was based on abnormal aminotransferases (80.8%) and abdominal ultrasound examination (89.9%). Computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (50.2%) and liver biopsy (22.4%) were used to assess fibrosis. Almost all respondents recommended reduction of body mass and lifestyle changes, and less than half (46.4%) recommended pharmacological treatment. CONCLUSIONS: NAFLD was the most common liver disease that was the reason for medical consultations, but its incidence seems to be underestimated due to referral for further diagnostics only in patients with abnormal aminotransferases. The diagnostic methods used to assess the severity of the liver fibrosis and the recommended pharmacological treatment varied depending on the physician’s specialisation and the centre’s reference level.